Alright, rev your engines F1 fans, because there’s a new kid joining the Red Bull Racing garage, and he’s ready to take his team all the way. Meet Liam Lawson, the 23-year-old speedster from Hastings, New Zealand, who’s just nabbed the coveted spot as second driver to Max Verstappen for the 2025 season.
Lawson started his racing career in karting at the tender age of seven. This young gun quickly proved he had the skills to pay the bills, catching Red Bull’s eye back in 2019 and joining the Red Bull Junior Programme.
Now, with a full-time seat at one of F1’s top teams, Lawson’s excitement is off the charts. “Obviously, the biggest opportunity I’ve had in my career is going into this year,” he told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“It’s very exciting… To be a part of Oracle Red Bull Racing as well is a pretty awesome opportunity, and something that I’ve worked a long, long time towards.”
The journey to Red Bull’s top team wasn’t straightforward for Lawson. He initially replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) for the final six races of the 2024 season after Ricciardo was axed following the Singapore Grand Prix. Lawson’s impressive performances during this stint, including his first points finish with ninth place in Singapore back in 2023, caught the eye of Red Bull’s senior leadership.
This led to Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull Racing for the 2025 season, partnering with reigning world champion Max Verstappen. He moved from reserve driver to a coveted seat in F1’s top team in just a matter of months — go off king!!
There’s no bad blood with Ricciardo — in fact the Aussie driver has shown remarkable class throughout the transition. Lawson revealed that Ricciardo was the only driver “past or present” to congratulate him on securing the Red Bull seat for the 2025 season. “It says a lot about him as a person,” Lawson told GQ last week.
“I actually spoke to Daniel a lot when it was happening,” says Lawson. “I will always have so much respect for him. Throughout the whole ordeal, from when the rumours started to when they were confirmed, he never said a bad word about or towards me. He never made it about me and him, because at the end of the day, it wasn’t our decision. It’s up to the team, and what they decide to do. He was so good to me, through all of it.”
As the F1 season kicks off with the Melbourne Grand Prix this week, we asked how the Kiwi gets race ready. Unlike some of his more superstitious colleagues, Lawson keeps his pre-race routine simple as. “I try to keep it very simple, because I’m very forgetful as a person,” he admitted with a laugh.
His one constant? A solid playlist to get him in the zone. “If I’m racing in America, I’ll listen to country. I think most of the time it’s probably rap, just because that’s something before a race [that’s] gonna build you up.”
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Lawson as he takes his place as Verstappen’s wingman. It’s a massive opportunity, but also a hefty challenge. Can this Kiwi support the flying Dutchman and help Red Bull maintain their dominance? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain – it’s going to be a ripper of a season.
Lawson’s parting words to PEDESTRIAN.TV? “I just want to get into it, get some races done. I know the first part of this year is going to be very tough with a lot of tracks that I haven’t done, but, yeah, I’m excited.” And so are we, Liam. So are we.
You can catch the Melbourne Grand Prix on Channel 10.
Lead image: Getty Images
